Illes Balears is the Vino de la Tierra title covering Spain's Balearic Islands. The name Illes Balears simply means 'Balearic Islands' in Catalan, the local tongue on the islands, which sit in the Mediterranean Sea, not far from the mainland. The islands are perhaps better known as a tourist hub for those seeking pristine beaches, sun and fun. The VT is a cover-all title whose boundaries overlap those of other VTs, including Formentera and Eivissa (Ibiza), along with some Denominaciónes de Origen (DOs) such as Binissalem-Mallorca.
Viticulture was introduced to the islands by the Ancient Romans, and Balearic wines quickly gained a reputation for exceptional quality. The renowned Roman philosopher Pliny the Elder wrote about them and drew comparisons with Italy's finest wines. Grape-growing continued throughout the Moorish occupation of Spain, aided by complex systems of irrigation introduced by the occupiers.
The industry received a further boost when the phylloxera louse devastated vineyards in France in the late 19th Century. This disaster for French growers created significant demand for the Balearic Islands' wines at a time viticulture had become the primary source of wealth. But the louse eventually got to the islands, too, and by 1891 had wiped out most of the vines there also.
Many were replaced with almond trees, and even today, vine plantings have never reached the heights of the 19th Century. The European Union's vine-pulling scheme further reduced the number of vines being grown, although there was a benefit: the wine industry's focus shifted from quantity to quality.
The archipelago's geographical setting means that its climate is undoubtedly Mediterranean. There are some microclimates across the different islands, meaning that average annual rainfall can vary quite significantly; it is highest where temperatures are lowest. The soils are mostly calcareous and siliceous calcium deposits, giving the earth brown and reddish tones.
A number of local and imported grape varieties are permitted on the islands. The white-wine varieties include Chardonnay, Moscatel (Muscat), Moll, Viognier, Sauvignon Blanc and Parellada. The red-wine varieties include Tempranillo, Cabernet Sauvignon, Monastrell, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Fogoneu, Callet and Manto Negro.
Red wines dominate the island's production, with Cabernet Sauvignon, Callet and Merlot most favored. The wines are typically structured and textured and full of body, alcohol and tannins. Chardonnays and Moscatels show their warmer climate expressions, Chardonnay exhibiting tropical fruits, banana and pineapple, while Moscatel offers floral notes of jasmine and violets.
Illes Balears wines are proving popular with visitors to the islands and are slowly gaining a reputation elsewhere, thanks to their distinctive Balearic personality.
